As some of you may remember, my father (ZO6Jeff) and I had the opportunity to attend a private drag rental, hosted by Ranger, last April in his bone stock 2009 ZR1. It was quite the learning experience and we came away with a stock tire best of 11.05 @ 129.1 mph (me) and drag radial best of 10.98 @ 131.8 mph (Ranger). This past Monday we had the opportunity to continue that learning experience at another rental at MIR arranged by Ranger. This was a small 6 car rental with all Corvettes (we had the only ZR1, and the others were all modified) in a laid back and friendly at atmosphere. My father and I made the 3 hr drive up that morning to arrive at 9:00am. The weather conditions were a little better than the April rental, with the temps on the mid 50s and good baro to give a DA of -350ft through most of the day (as measured track side). There was a moderate to light on-and-off head wind during the day. The track prep out to the 1/8 mile was great, and even though there was no sun to warm the track it stuck well.

We decided that we were going to first concentrate on running the ZR1 on the stock tires since I had come close to breaking into the 10s last time. I ran the car in sets of 2 or 3 passes and then we would cool the car for a while. On my first set of passes I bettered my previous 11.05 with an 11.03. On my second set of passes I broke into the tens with a 10.97 @ 128.35 mph and a 1.703 60’ time. I had the launch down but really needed to work on my shift points and speed. Then during my 3rd set of passes I had another 1.70 60’ and did my best shifting to date that produced the 10.85 @ 129.8 mph run.

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After a few more passes that did not better the 10.85, we decided to put on Ranger’s 18” drag radials. It was closing in on 3 pm by this point. Ranger had not driven the car with the stock tires today but he was going to get first crack on the DRs since my driving experience with them is very limited. Ranger proved yet again that he is a driving machine by clicking off three 10.73xs passes in a row hot lapping the car. The best was his second pass of 10.730 @ 132.46 mph. I have also put up a copy of his last pass since it shows his best launch and 1/8 mile time (6.998), but the car fell a little short up top only finishing a 131.95 mph, most likely starting to see the effects of some heat soak after the previous two runs and a long day of running. I ran a few passes on the drag radials, never quite getting the launch, and turned a best of 10.95 @ 130.2 mph. Here is Rangers best.

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Overall it was another great day at the track. The ZR1 performed flawlessly and is simply an amazing car. I also think there are still better times to be had. Even though my shifting is improving, I am pretty sure better shifting could have got another 1/10 with stock tires. I think we are just scratching the surface on drag radials. I am sure if Ranger had pulled the same launch as his last pass on his first pass, we would have seen 10.6s. I would like to thank Ranger for all the tips and putting the rental together and my father for letting me beat on his car. As for the rest of the cars, I will let the owners discuss their times but I will say that every car there made it into the 10s.

Make no mistake about it. The C6 ZR1 is a monster that has, so far, resoundingly eclipsed at the drag strip its stock Z06 stable-mate, the current Viper, and all similar production cars.

I made only three passes in the ZR1 at Monday’s rental. All three were 10.73. Traps were 132.46, 132.01, 131.95.

For comparison sake I made a couple passes in my stock C6Z on DRs. Two 10.95s. Traps were 126.05 (car not fully warmed up) and 127.85 (warmed up).

So apples to apples, the ZR1 was faster that the Z06 by about three car-lengths and 4.0-4.5 mph. That said, my Z06 driving is dial-in. Not the case in the ZR1.

Keep in mind, a driver must invest time to learn the personality quirks of the ZR1. As racerns points out in post #1, his and my driving remains works-in-progress. So quicker ETs and faster traps by these drivers in this ZR1 remain ahead this fall season as we internalize lessons-learned and leverage improving weather conditions.

Weather at this event was good but inferior to the super weather MIR experiences in fall.

After our ZR1-group’s first visit to the track in April, I reported

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranger

...suspect some owner will get a ZR1 into the 10.60s on DR and the 10.8s on stock tires....

Racerns has already accomplished the stock tire part. And 10.60s on DRs is a small drop from 10.73 and should come just with minor launch tweaks. Given that, I’ll speculate that this stock ZR1 will likely run low 10.70s on stock tires and high 10.50s on DRs. Stay tuned.

Finally, I want to thank Z06Jeff once again for the opportunity to drive his ZR1 on the track. Thanks too to racerns for the pleasure of witnessing him hammer out four 10-second stock-tire passes. He’s a natural driver who will continue to make proud the Corvette community far and wide.

Best to all.

Ranger

Admin note: I plan to upload two videos tomorrow.
Racerns’s 10.85 on stock tires and
Ranger’s 10.73 on drag radials.

Will place a marker post to the thread when the videos are edited into post #1.

I just want to say Iím very proud of my son (racerns). His driving was excellent and I know he will keep on improving. The ZR1 is awesome and is definitely living up to its potential. The only credit I can take is that I taught him how to drive a stick on my 1990 ZR-1.

I also want to thank Ranger for again arranging for the track rental and for all the help he has given my son. I agree with my son that there is potential for even better performance.

I just want to say Iím very proud of my son (racerns). His driving was excellent and I know he will keep on improving. The ZR1 is awesome and is definitely living up to its potential. The only credit I can take is that I taught him how to drive a stick on my 1990 ZR-1.

I also want to thank Ranger for again arranging for the track rental and for all the help he has given my son. I agree with my son that there is potential for even better performance.

Congrats guys on some awesome times!!!

You should be proud!!! It sounds like you and your son do the whole car thing together. It's a great way to keep the father and son bond going. I do the same with my son and I know what your feeling.

Congratulations again on the passes. It was a lot of fun
just watching your car make passes. For a stock car that
daily drives so well to be able to turn into such a Beast
when asked is truely amazing. Have fun with her!
Wayne

Wow! great job Neil. you and ranger have proven that the Zr1 is the fastest 'stock' production car . wish i could have been there. I have a rental early november ,Atco
,hope to also run 10s. will keep you posted.

As some of you may remember, my father (ZO6Jeff) and I had the opportunity to attend a private drag rental, hosted by Ranger, last April in his bone stock 2009 ZR1. It was quite the learning experience and we came away with a stock tire best of 11.05 @ 129.1 mph (me) and drag radial best of 10.98 @ 131.8 mph (Ranger). This past Monday we had the opportunity to continue that learning experience at another rental at MIR arranged by Ranger. This was a small 6 car rental with all Corvettes (we had the only ZR1, and the others were all modified) in a laid back and friendly at atmosphere. My father and I made the 3 hr drive up that morning to arrive at 9:00am. The weather conditions were a little better than the April rental, with the temps on the mid 50s and good baro to give a DA of -350ft through most of the day (as measured track side). There was a moderate to light on-and-off head wind during the day. The track prep out to the 1/8 mile was great, and even though there was no sun to warm the track it stuck well.

We decided that we were going to first concentrate on running the ZR1 on the stock tires since I had come close to breaking into the 10s last time. I ran the car in sets of 2 or 3 passes and then we would cool the car for a while. On my first set of passes I bettered my previous 11.05 with an 11.03. On my second set of passes I broke into the tens with a 10.97 @ 128.35 mph and a 1.703 60’ time. I had the launch down but really needed to work on my shift points and speed. Then during my 3rd set of passes I had another 1.70 60’ and did my best shifting to date that produced the 10.85 @ 129.8 mph run.

HD Videos to be added soon

After a few more passes that did not better the 10.85, we decided to put on Ranger’s 18” drag radials. It was closing in on 3 pm by this point. Ranger had not driven the car with the stock tires today but he was going to get first crack on the DRs since my driving experience with them is very limited. Ranger proved yet again that he is a driving machine by clicking off three 10.73xs passes in a row hot lapping the car. The best was his second pass of 10.730 @ 132.46 mph. I have also put up a copy of his last pass since it shows his best launch and 1/8 mile time (6.998), but the car fell a little short up top only finishing a 131.95 mph, most likely starting to see the effects of some heat soak after the previous two runs and a long day of running. I ran a few passes on the drag radials, never quite getting the launch, and turned a best of 10.95 @ 130.2 mph. Here is Rangers best.

HD Videos to be added soon

Overall it was another great day at the track. The ZR1 performed flawlessly and is simply an amazing car. I also think there are still better times to be had. Even though my shifting is improving, I am pretty sure better shifting could have got another 1/10 with stock tires. I think we are just scratching the surface on drag radials. I am sure if Ranger had pulled the same launch as his last pass on his first pass, we would have seen 10.6s. I would like to thank Ranger for all the tips and putting the rental together and my father for letting me beat on his car. As for the rest of the cars, I will let the owners discuss their times but I will say that every car there made it into the 10s.

Congrats Racerns! Thats an awesome time and I know first hand what it takes to run that time and its awesome driving! Great Job! Same to you John! Great Job! 10.8 on stock tires is awesome as is 10.7 on drag radials. I am glad to see some stout numbers run by a ZR1!
I am also pretty positive those are the fastest and quickest factory production runs ever for an american car!
Also Racerns I have to say that 1.70 short time on stock tires is amazing!

Wow! great job Neil. you and ranger have proven that the Zr1 is the fastest 'stock' production car . wish i could have been there. I have a rental early november ,Atco
,hope to also run 10s. will keep you posted.

Gary

Was a short-notice event Gary. You were missed at this one. Good luck at Atco.

Congrats Racerns! Thats an awesome time and I know first hand what it takes to run that time and its awesome driving! Great Job! Same to you John! Great Job! 10.8 on stock tires is awesome as is 10.7 on drag radials. I am glad to see some stout numbers run by a ZR1!
I am also pretty positive those are the fastest and quickest factory production runs ever for an american car!
Also Racerns I have to say that 1.70 short time on stock tires is amazing!

I've mounted CCW Corsair Race wheels (only come in 18") on the ZR1 and the fit is tight but sufficient to clear the 15" rotors. I've not tested wheel alternatives to the Corsairs, since I already had a pair of them for my Z06.

If you order Corsairs, be sure to tell John or Chip at CCW that the wheels are for the rear of a ZR1. That will ensure correct offset/back-spacing.

When changing tires, take care to mount the blue booties over the C/C rotors, to avoid an expensive, hard lesson-learned.

In an abundance of caution, we have been using two pairs of hands to maneuver the wheel on and off the hub.

I've mounted CCW Corsair Race wheels (only come in 18") on the ZR1 and the fit is tight but sufficient to clear the 15" rotors. I've not tested wheel alternatives to the Corsairs, since I already had a pair of them for my Z06.

If you order Corsairs, be sure to tell John or Chip at CCW that the wheels are for the rear of a ZR1. That will ensure correct offset/back-spacing.

When changing tires, take care to mount the blue booties over the C/C rotors, to avoid an expensive, hard lesson-learned.

In an abundance of caution, we have been using two pairs of hands to maneuver the wheel on and off the hub.

Ranger

I am getting a 2010 Z06 and was looking for a drag radial and rim set up. Will the same work for the Z06 or do you have some suggestions??

Nice!! Its about time we saw the 10's for the zr1. There's still more in it though. Now that heat soak isn't as big of a limiting factor with the cool air here I knew it was only a matter of time. I think we'll see a 10.7x by someone bone stock before the year is out. Good job Racerns